🔍 Cases

About Query the Murder

Query the Murder is a SQL learning game built around Agatha Christie's classic murder mysteries. Each case gives you a real database — suspects, alibis, timelines, evidence — and you solve the murder by writing SQL queries.

No installation. No account. Just open a case and start querying.

What is it?

Classic Agatha Christie mysteries meet SQL queries. Instead of dusty clues and dramatic drawing-room confrontations, you're writing SELECT statements, JOINs, and window functions to crack the case.

Each case is based on a real Agatha Christie novel. Suspects, alibis, events, and motives are all stored in a SQLite database that runs directly in your browser — no server, no setup. Your job is to query your way to the truth.

How do the cases work?

Each case has 5 questions that guide you through the investigation:

  1. Q1: Meet the suspects — a simple intro query to get oriented
  2. Q2–Q4: Dig into alibis, motives, timelines, and evidence
  3. Q5: Identify the killer — complete with confetti when you get it right

Questions get progressively harder, introducing SQL concepts as the investigation deepens.

Your detective tools

Table Information panel: Click the sidebar icon to see all database tables and columns at any time. The schema is always visible — no guessing column names.

Reveal Answer: Stuck? Hit this to see the correct SQL query and explanation. No judgment — learning from the answer is part of the process.

Real-time feedback: Submit a query and instantly see whether you've cracked it or are chasing red herrings.

Who is this for?

Query the Murder is for anyone learning SQL who wants practice that actually feels like something. Specifically:

No advanced SQL required. Case 1 starts with SELECT and WHERE. Skills build from there.

⚠️ Spoiler warning

Each case is based on a real Agatha Christie novel, and Question 5 reveals the actual killer from the book. If you haven't read the novels and want to avoid spoilers, be aware before you start.

Browse the cases